Thomas Chauke

Last updated

Dr. Thomas Chauke
Birth nameThomas Hasani Chauke
Also known asShinyori
Born (1952-02-04) 4 February 1952 (age 72)
Saselemani, Limpopo, South Africa
Genres Xitsonga
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer composer
  • Record Producer
Years active1979–present

Dr Thomas Hasani "Shinyori" Chauke OIS (born 5 February 1952) is a South African Xitsonga musician. [1] Chauke was granted an honorary doctorate in African languages for the role his music has played in the development of the Xitsonga language. [2]

Contents

Early life

Chauke was born in Salema (Saselamani) Village in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. He dropped out of school at primary level (Standard 3/Grade 5) to work at a flower firm in Heidelberg, Gauteng, in 1969. He then moved to Alexandra in 1971, where he fixed swimming pools and tennis courts in neighbouring Sandton. While there he met his uncle, who was into mbaqanga music and played the Tsonga guitar, which he taught Chauke how to play. Chauke traveled back home in 1978 and fixed radio sets. He was already married with a child.at the age of 72 he’s planning to take a 6th wife that is 22 years old from [3] Chauke had five wives, 23 children and 12 grandchildren. [4]

Music career

Chauke started his band with 13 singers from a shebeen in the late 1970s. After a few months, only five remained. They performed at school halls to raise money to go to Johannesburg and realize the recording dream. Chauke signed a contract to record with GRC. Under GRC, the music was branded Nyoresh. He moved to Wea Records, where he got a better deal and changed his music brand from Nyoresh to Shimatsatsa ("a beautiful girl"). In 1981, he recorded his first album called Shimatsatsa no. 1 under the burner name Thomas Chauke and Shinyori Sisters. Now he hands out awards yearly in the category: Dr. Thomas Chauke's Artist of the Year for Munghana Lonene Fm. [5] In the course of his career, Chauke has received one diamond disc, one double gold disc, six platinum disc, 11 double platinum and nine triple platinum discs. [4]

Awards and accomplishments

Discography

With a career spanning over 34 years, he has released over 36 studio albums.

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References

  1. "Tsonga disco king - City Press". Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  2. "At home with Thomas Chauke". DRUM. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  3. "MTN SAMA 19 HONOURS SIZWE ZAKO, Dr THOMAS CHAUKE & RALPH JOHN RABIE (Johannes Kerkorrel) - 19TH ANNUAL MTN SA MUSIC AWARDS". Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Honorary doctorate for Xitsonga musician" . Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  5. "Music veterans to be honoured at SA Music Awards | Arts and Culture | Music | M&G". Mg.co.za. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  6. "Thomas Chauke Audio Streaming". Xitsongaonline.co.za. Retrieved 5 January 2017.